Interview: 2020 Fort Myers Scat-Back Yasias Young Growing into Talented All-Purpose Player
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Anytime a freshman can see time on the gridiron at the varsity level, something special is happening. That little piece of extraordinary talent and effort notches up a bit when placing the rising talent on the football field in Florida against 6A competition. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Class of 2020 running back/slot receiver Yasias Young.
For the new fans of Mr. Young, the best way to get on his good side quickly is by pronouncing his first name correctly Ya-Sigh-Us. A way to get on his bad side is stepping in his way of the end zone. With 70 carries he covered 600 yards with 10 scores fooling Florida opposition that he was an upperclassman not a freshman. In addition to his carries, he also pulled in seven passes for 48 yards with two more scores posted on the board. During the Green Waves’ 8-5 season in 2016, the coaching staff believed in his abilities even more so allowing him to return kicks, seven to be exact for 115 more all-purpose yards.
College coaching staffs are already keying in on Young with Miami, N.C. State, Ole Miss, Florida Atlantic, and North Carolina being among those wanting to track his progress going forward. With three more seasons to showcase his talents, expect the interest and offer sheet to expand as Young transforms his game from a scat-back type to a true all-purpose back for the Green Wave as his 5-8, 162 pound, frame grows and adds muscle to go along with his talent that is way ahead of the curve.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in Florida’s 2020 class covering his freshman season, summer workouts, and college camp circuit.
Interview
Yasias, you ended up having a big impact on Fort Myers 2016 season as a freshman. When you were going into fall camp how did you work your way to the varsity level?
“It was hard at first coming from eighth grade to high school. The mindset is different about how hard you have to work. You see how hard everyone else is working and you want to be better. It was cool at the end.”
Did you have a ‘welcome to the varsity’ moment where you looked around and realized what you had accomplished?
“Yes, sir. I did. Before one of our practices, I always wanted to play high school football and now I am in the high school locker room. That was that moment for me.”
What was your ‘welcome to the varsity’ moment on the field?
“I did have one in our first game. It was on kick return. They kicked it to me and while the ball was in the air everything was silent, next thing you know I had dropped the ball but my teammate picked it up. I had to move on to the next play but that was my moment.”
Did you know that you would end up having that type of season for the Green Wave during fall camp or were you surprised how everything clicked?
“I was surprised. As a freshman, most do not get that opportunity. The effort and intensity that I have pushed me to that spot. Each game I got better and better.”
How did your game as a running back improve last season?
“It improved a lot. I watched film and listened to my coaches, taking criticism as the games went on so I could get better.”
While a lot of teams are running the spread or a pro-style offense, Fort Myers is running a version of the Wishbone and a Wing-T, will you guys run the same offense next season?
“We run a Wing-T mainly. We’re not sure, but more than likely will. Our coaches are talking about some changes. We won’t know until the season starts.”
Will we see you lineup at other positions during your sophomore season?
“I’ll be on kick return, punt return, and I might play corner some in addition to running back and receiver.”
Will your role within the offense expand next season? Will you get more touches in the offense?
“Most likely. We have talented running backs that are ahead of me. I have matured more and I know the game better. I think I might get more touches than my freshman year this year.”
Have you attended any camps this off-season?
“Yes, sir. I have attended a Florida Atlantic camp.”
How did the FAU camp go?
“It went really well. My broad jump was 10-5. We ran out of time so I could not run the 40. I did well in the drills. The coaches there were talking to me telling me to keep up the hard work.”
Have you run a 40-yard dash this off-season?
“No, sir. Not yet.”
Do you have any camps lined up for the second half of the summer?
“Yes, sir. On Friday and Saturday, I’m going to a Noles Legend camp (Florida State). In July, I’ve been invited to a Miami camp. I think I am going to more camps. I think I have two more camps my coaches have lined up.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?
“Schools showing interest are Miami, North Carolina, Ole Miss, and N.C. State.”
What was your GPA from your freshman year?
“3.6.”
What is your favorite subject in school?
“English.”
Did you play any other sports at the varsity level for Fort Myers?
“Yes, sir. I ran track at the varsity level.”
Which events?
“The 100, 200, 4×1, and long jump.”
Nice. What goals have you set for yourself for the 2017 season?
“My goals are to have a better season than my freshman year. I want to mature my game and make clutch plays when needed. I want to go into the season bigger, stronger, and faster.”
What are you doing for fun this summer when you have free time?
“I don’t have much downtime. I workout, rest, and watch TV when I can. I work out every day.”
Yasias, thanks for your time today and good luck with the upcoming camps.
“Thank you.”
Click the link to see Yasias Young’s Hudl reel.
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Photo credit: USAToday; No. 16 Yasias Young in the open field (2016).
Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 16 Yasias Young breaks free (2016).
Photo credit: The News Press; No. 16 Yasias Young shakes a defender (2016).